NathanB

Why is this being discussed still, it happened 4 years ago, let the boy get on with his career, I would imagine he has grown up since then.

A vast majority of the coaching team in the football squad aren't English but I wouldn't go to Wembley and wave an Italian flag around.

You make a fair point but if we were being pedantic then strictly speaking anybody who rides for Team GB would never be representing their country as GB is an island, not a country. In effect, Team GB are representing their countries.

Sorry, I miss the point you are making

I went to the meeting at Kings Lynn on Monday with my English flag because I am English and the whole of the team were English. Whats your point? No disrespect to the Scots, Welsh or Irish but they havent got anybody good enough to ride for GB just now (having said that I sat through 3 hours watching Bridger last night). I am offended that you brandish me an idiot because I was wearing the colours of the country I was born in, supporting a team of riders who were all born in the same country as me.

I don't see the problem, a football team wont announce their line up until at least an hour before kick off.

I would take Harris, Bridger, Kennett, Woffinden and Barker to the race off. My reasons being we are in a position where we are no longer close to the bigger nations so why not give these youngsters a chance. We may well embarass ourselves with that team but would it be the end of the world? The competition would be forgotten about in a few weeks so lets just give them the experience of riding in a big meeting. Who knows by the time the WC comes around next year this may be the best British team available. I would also have Jerran Hart as a special guest

Brilliant

Yes, because Kings Lynn (No E) are renowned for being corrupt.

Im going to Stick up for Middlo here as i believe it was the right time to use the joker and the right time. Gollob looked very one paced in the opener and I thought if Nicholls could have got the drop on him from 1 he could have done the business but hey ho. Overall I was quite despondant last night but in the light of day I think we had a go and on another day co9uld have won it. I think we dropped about 11 points last nighht through bad riding, bad judgement, bad luck, call it what you like. In all honesty though all this would have done is papered over the cracks for me. As a nation at present we are just not good enough to mix with the best. Im not saying for one minute that we were poor last night because i dont think we were. We made poor decisions at vital times. The Poles gave us an example of how to ride. Electric from the tapes and riding the perfect line. If you look at their team they have riders who havent rode on this track much in recent history. Protasiewicz - 98, Gollob - 98, Kolodziej - Never, Hampel - not totally sure but only once this century. They are a super team with super riders and could probably have fielded a second team last night which would have done well. GB just seems to have a shortage of young talent at the minute which shows no signs of changing and until we sort the infrastructure that is currently in place it will be tough. Having said all this we could have still won last night but we are only ever going to do well in our own country. Not enough riders are doing well on the continent on the bigger, faster Polish tracks. I spoke a lot about Eddie Kennett before the meeting and I owe him an apology. He was tremendous for us and scored the points and did the job expected. I doubted he could do it and he proved me wrong, well done Eddie. IMO Olly Allen should have been in that team probably in place of Barker. Allen would have gated with the Poles and is very hard to pass round the Norfolk Arena. Saying that Ben rode very well in his last race and was deserving of his victory. Overall it was slightly depressing but fair play to the Poles they arew a class side. I would also like to say well done to their fans. They are a credit to the sport and show such enthusiasm. Had some great banter with their fans on the back straight and they really made the meeting what it was last night.

Its the top 9 from the 5 qualifiers who go through to the 3 semi finals Still leaves me wondering where the next 3 come from

Now that we have 45 qualifiers where do the other 3 come from? Are there wild cards at each track from the representing country, seems slightly unfair if it is? I hav worked out which countries are represented in the semis as it is a rainy day and I'm bored. Poland 8 Denmark 7 Sweden 6 Australia 4 England 4 Germany 4 Czech Republic 3 Russia 3 Slovenia 2 Finland 1 Hungary 1 Latvia 1 Ukraine 1 This list only includes 1 current GP rider in Antonio Lindback

The back straight for me is the place to be. It can get quite loud down there and the atmosphere has, on occassions, been quite unbelievable.

You wont miss him in his distinguishable Stars race top. I only stand literally 10 feet from the man and Im still yet to introduce myself, it must be his imposing figure or the jealousy I have for his love for King Filip

I dont think its really about how much they can improve in the future, its about where they are now. As I mentioned before Eddie has had a tremendous season to date but he has never cut it at the Norfolk Arena. Olly is currently averaging 8.64 at the Norfolk Arena this season which would have led me to swing it in his favour. I can't even recall Olly having a bad meeting at Lynn this season so far and when he gates he is very difficult to beat.

I hope he isnt he was in my year a school

Hmmmmm, not sure it is think you are just backtracking because people are getting on your case. For me, 4 of the riders are the choices I would have gone for. I think Harris, Nicholls and Woffy were no brainers and Barker impressed me at Lynn earlier in the season and will enjoy the immense dirt on the track and Im sure will give his all and do us proud. My only worry is Kennett. I think Eddie will be the first to admit that the Norfolk Arena isnt one of his favourite tracks and it was only a couple of weeks ago he scored 6 from 5. Although we cannot doubt that he is probably having his best season at present I dont think he is the correct choice to ride at Lynn. Saying this though I hope he makes me eat my words. I would have though that Olly Allen would have been a better choice purely because he has been flying at Lynn recently and if he gates, which he normally does, he can beat the best. Saying all that though I wish the team the best of luck and I will be proudly supporting them come July 11th to hopefully another qualifying round victory.

I remember back in the early 90s even after a 15 heat programme at Kings Lynn there use to be a 6 heat Junior League. These were very good meetings and gave the youngsters the ideal racing experience to progress. I remember riders like Emmerson Fairweather, Darren Spicer, Roger Horspool and Andy Mountain all rode in these meetings and moved into the main Kings Lynn team afterwards, even if it was only for a few meetings in some cases. Then there was also riders like Tom Grinstead, Martin Cobbin and Lee Fathing (wonder what happened to these boys?)

We have had some rain which was quite persistant for about 30-45 mins which has left the ground wet. Is it enough to call the meeting off or make it a null event, I don't think so as it hasnt rained properly for a few weeks so will have probably helped more than hindered. I am exactly 1.6 miles from the stadium so cant imagine that it is much different there.

Best wishes to both riders on their recovery, its absolutely awful for both riders for differing reasons really. Lewi is trying to make his way in the sport and this happens and Darren has had such awful luck for many years now and I have to agree with previous posts about where he would be now had it not been for all his injuries. Had a text from Lewi earlier this morning and he seems in good spirits back to hospital tomorrow for his op. He just wants to be back on a bike again. These riders are really a different breed, arent they. Good luck guys, hope to see u back soon.

So, even though rules and regs haven't fully been decided yet who do we expect to see back in the squad. I would assume Jake Knight, Adam Lowe, Lewis Kerr, Darren Mallett, Rhys Naylor, Chris Widman and Scott Campos are nailed on?

I think Andersen will get a slot next season as will One Brit which I think will be Chris Harris. Only one more Swede will get the nod and it will either be Lindgren/Lindback, though I think Lindgren should get the nod. The last spot is up for grabs with a selection of people in contention but I think it will be Zagar.

It's not just him not being there last night it is his whole attitude towards British speedway.

I can't believe all the negativity I have read on this thread so far. We have a lot to be proud of last night. People need to understand that we are not one of the big contenders at the moment but I saw a lot last night to make me feel proud. The performance of King was superb and I thought Harris and Bridger showed glimpses of what they are capable. As for Nicholls he should never be allowed to pull on a GB racejacket again. Where was he supporting the lads? As for the race off, Rico for Kennett definately but the others i would keep. Lets get behind them, we probably wont win but in a fe years with this experience we may be a contender again.

From what I see of Richardson on the international circuit it is him who does not have a clue. He continually chases the wrong lines and if he doesn't gate he migt as well not bother. Why is it the EL fans seem to have a problem with a PL manager in charge of the national side. Lets give the man a chance, lets back the team and give them a chance. For one thing we may not win it but it wont e through lack of effort.